When I say Bulgaria, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most likely Sofia, then perhaps the Black Sea, and that’s probably it. Even the most well-traveled among us may have never visited this small country in the Balkans, let alone know its hidden treasures. Bulgaria has amazing and diverse nature, little villages where time seems to have stopped a century ago, and places rich in cultural and historical heritage. There’s so much more to this country than meets the eye. Here are the best places to visit in Bulgaria, so you can really get to know this great nation.

Sofia

At first sight Bulgaria’s largest city just seems like another busy and modern capital, but there are layers of history that are still being uncovered. The latest discovery happened between 2010 and 2012 when a whole part of the ancient city of Serdica was found during excavation works for one of the metro stations. Some of the most famous attractions in the city include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Saint Sofia Church with its subterranean museum and the necropolis, the 4th-century Church of St.

Veliko Tarnovo

One of the best places to visit in all of Europe, Veliko Tarnovo stands out because of its remarkable beauty. The River Yantra meanders through Veliko Tarnovo creating a picturesque setting for this historic northern Bulgarian city. National Revival style houses cling to the hills, making it so easy to fall in love with this inviting city. A lesser known fact is that the city was Bulgaria’s capital between the 12th and 14th century, during the heyday of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Arbanasi

Arbanasi is a very small village perched on a hill about 5 kilometers away from Veliko Tarnovo. Besides the amazing views of Veliko Tarnovo and Tsarevets, Arbanasi offers quaint cobblestone streets and old houses surrounded by high National Revival style stone fences. Arbanasi is one of the most popular destinations in Bulgaria among the locals

Plovdiv

One of the most ancient cities in Europe and among the best cities to visit in Bulgaria, Plovdiv surprises visitors with its diversity. Located in southern Bulgaria, Plovdiv is like an open-air museum of Bulgaria’s history. Plovdiv used to be one of the major cities in the Roman Empire.

Ruse

Ruse is the city with the most aristocratic look in Bulgaria. Located on the Danube River, it was a major economic centre during the National Revival (18th – 19th century) and after the ʟιʙᴇʀᴀтιoɴ of the country in 1878. Ruse was the gateway for all architectural and cultural influences from Central Europe.

Varna

One of the country’s top summer destinations, Varna is often referred to as the sea capital of Bulgaria. In the summer it becomes a bustling city with a lot of activities and festivals to keep the city’s guests entertained. There’s an international ballet competition, a jazz festival, a folklore festival, and a music festival, just to name a few.

< Source : https://www.roadaffair.com/best-places-to-visit-in-bulgaria/ >